Page 21 of Reckless Hearts
I shrug. “They clearly like me more. You should work on that.”
Luke rocks back on his heels, a slow smile forming.
“I’m starting to understand why.”
Biting back my smirk, I reply, “You know, you’re growing on me too.”
“Sounds like Luke’s banned from hanging out now,” Colt says, stepping between us, arms crossed, staring down his friend.
Luke laughs. “Hey now, I’m just being friendly. Not every day you two bring a girl around.”
I don’t have time to process the idea of them bringing a girl around any day when Maverick cuts in.
“Knock it off.”
He places his hand on my lower back, warming me through the thin fabric as he guides me toward the motel office.
I’m not ready to move, but I follow him anyway.
Everything about Maverick screams he’s in charge responsible, dominant, possessive.
His gentle touch promises he’ll take care of me if I follow his lead.
I’m swallowing hard as my thoughts turn somewhere they don’t belong.
His near-black hair that’s normally pushed off his face falls into his eyes, giving his already broody look even more heat.
I’d be a millionaire if they ever let me turn them into a thirst trap.
There’s a line coming out of the office door, and I stop when Maverick’s hand tightens on my waist, pulling me into his side so he can drop his mouth to my ear.
“I’ll talk to them about getting your room moved beside mine.”
My cheeks heat, and I can practically feel the blush taking over.
“I know that look. What did you do?” Colt asks suspiciously.
“I didn’t… I didn’t book a room.”
I barely get the words out before both guys are turning on me, shouting in unison:
“What?”
Chapter 7
Maverick
This little hazel-eyeddevil has the nerve to attempt to look innocent, like she didn’t just drop a bomb the size of Canada on us. I search her eyes for a sign that she’s joking because there’s no way my girl flew across the country and has no place to stay… Fuck, even the idea is giving me heartburn. Throat tight from holding back a barrage of questions, I do my best to lock my shit down, but before I can say anything stupid, Colt beats me to it.
“What the hell were you thinking, Cal?” His normally easygoing tone is nowhere to be found. He’s all business right now, talking down to her like she’s a kid, and from the way she’s toeing up to him, this is not going to be good… for him. It’s certainly going to be fun for me.
“Who do you think you are?” she spits back, any sign that maybe she should have booked a room before showing up nowhere to be found. It’s as if the second Colt opened his mouth, she’d disagree with whatever he says.
Which is his own fault for going after her that way. Callie’s never responded well to authority, and she’s definitely not goingto take being reprimanded by him. She’d go down in a fiery grave of her own making before she’d ever admit she’s wrong.
A twisted, hidden part of me wants to see what happens when Callie gives in. When she stops fighting and starts wanting to listen. Would she still have that fire in her eyes as she does what she’s told? What the hell am I thinking? There’s a pole beside me, and I’m tempted to bang my head against it, knock some sense back into myself. I’m saved from my personal downfall when the woman at the counter calls us up.
“Hello, ma’am. Colt and I have rooms, but we’re looking to book another one.” This isn’t the first time we’ve been here, so she recognizes him and me easily enough, printing off our room keys. As she hands them to us, she gives us a customer service smile, while her tone calls me an idiot.
